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On the other side of the harbor from West Beach and near Santa Barbara City College, this beach tends to be less crowded than East Beach. It usually has a fairly mellow break that is suitable for beginner surfers.
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Cruises, kayak and paddleboard rentals, learn to sail, you name it. Or just take a pleasant stroll along the breakwater. Lil' Toot, a bright yellow water taxi, runs back and forth between the Harbor and Stearns Wharf every 30 minutes. If you're lucky, you'll see one of Santa Barbara's sea urchin fishing boats come in. In years past, almost all the catch ended up in Japan, but uni has caught on in the west, and some of the crews will even sell the spiky but tasty little creatures right off the pier, and show you how to crack them open.
It offers a blufftop walk with stunning views overlooking the ocean.
Features original Reagan Ranch artifacts matched with state-of-the-art, interactive, multimedia exhibits that highlight the history of Ronald Reagan's quarter-century at Rancho del Cielo and the accomplishments of his presidency. Over six hours of dynamic multimedia exhibits provide access to exclusive speeches, interviews, radio addresses, and original video presentations. The centerpiece is a -long interactive "timeline" that gives users the ability to explore the "Western White House" during the 1980s.
This picturesque 1872 wharf - the longest deep-water pier between Los Angeles and San Francisco - has lots of history. It is named after its builder, local lumberman John P. Stearns. Badly damaged several times by fire, it has been repeatedly rebuilt and today features more than a dozen shops and restaurants, and one of the best views in California from the end of its pier. There's also a small public aquarium, the Sea Center, that's associated with the Museum of Natural History. You may see brown pelicans at the end of the wharf. There's a bait and tackle shop, and no fishing license is required to fish from the wharf. It was once owned by Hollywood legend James Cagney.
Offers relaxation meditations and meditation classes.
Santa Barbara has a number of wineries all within blocks of downtown and mostly within the area known as the Funk Zone for its earlier, funkier roots as the industrial part of town. Some smaller wineries have set up shop, many in converted industrial buildings, in the Funk Zone, which is in the blocks just east of State Street and between the waterfront and the Highway 101 overpass. This up-and-coming part of the city now features a large number of wineries, including Santa Barbara's Urban Wine Trail, restaurants, craft breweries and craft distillers, making it a popular destination for foodies and those wishing to escape the shopping scene on State Street. Most wineries have tasting rooms and are open to the public.